Superyachts

Luxury superyachts require nothing less than a seven star standard of service and hospitality. It is down to the interior crew to provide a first class experience which matches the expectations and standards of the owner and guests.

Roles will vary depending on the size of the yacht, but commonly require a broad base of skills and experiences including: guest, housekeeping, butler and valet services, barista, bar and wine knowledge, laundry and wardrobe management and floristry.

A career path within the interior department allows students to progress from junior steward/ess to managerial positions with the right qualifications and training.

Superyacht roles

Interior manager/purser

This position is responsible for managing and directing the interior team and ensuring that owners and their guests are provided with the highest level of service and attention specifically tailored to their needs during their stay on board. They mentor and develop all interior staff with a view to strengthening their current performance.

Chief steward/ess

The chief steward/ess is responsible for setting standards and keeping the yacht maintained to an immaculate condition. They will also deliver an exceptional experience for owners and guests, which may include creating itineraries, scheduling activities, organising events and craft memorable themes for owner and guest trips. They manage, direct and oversee the team in their area of assigned responsibility.

Lead, second steward/ess, butler

This position is responsible for leading the housekeeping and/or service team and ensuring the owners and their guests are provided with the highest level of service and attention specifically tailored to their needs during their stay on board.

The lead steward/ess is also responsible for keeping the yacht maintained to an immaculate condition in their assigned area of responsibility, for example, wine cellar, bonded store, drinks fridge, candles and decorations, wardrobe care, owner amenities, guest amenities, owner's deck, stationery, or flowers and plants, which would include updating and maintaining appropriate inventories, preparing orders and creating in-house training.

Steward/ess

This position is responsible for ensuring the owners and their guests are provided with the highest level of service and attention specifically tailored to their needs during their stay on board. The steward/ess is responsible for keeping the yacht maintained to an immaculate condition with minimal supervision. Although the position of steward/ess used to be a blend of housekeeping and service duties, on the larger vessels we see a division between these departments and crew are assigned to a department with a focus on either one.

They will manage the area of assigned responsibility, for example, wine cellar, bonded store, drinks fridge, candles and decorations, wardrobe care, owner amenities, guest amenities, owners deck, stationery or flowers and plants). They may also be required to accompany the owners and/or guests on tours, shopping trips or excursions, or provide childcare services.

Speciality steward/ess roles

These roles are primarily undertaking the role of a steward/ess. Demand is increasing for this position to have qualifications in speciality fields such as nursing, beauty and massage therapy, hairdresser, personal trainer/yoga instructor and floristry.

Lead laundry

This position is responsible for the overall laundry department and ensuring the owners and their guests are provided with the highest level of laundry service and attention specifically tailored to their needs during their stay on board. The lead laundry steward/ess is also ultimately responsible for the day-to-day operations of the laundry and maintaining the set standards.

Laundry steward/ess

This position is responsible for ensuring the owners and their guests are provided with the highest level of laundry service and attention specifically tailored to their needs during their stay on board.

Day-to-day duties include cleaning and maintaining all owner and guest wardrobes and linen; log all laundry to ensure all items are returned correctly and in a timely manner; cleaning and maintaining all crew uniforms and linens as well as galley, deck and interior linen; return all cleaned laundry to appropriate location in a timely manner.